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CTW: family, neighbors, witnesses

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(based on Hebrews 12:1)
Leader:  We come to worship with family – family by birth, by marriage, by friendship.
People:  As Noah’s wife and children filled the ark, as Aaron spoke for Moses, as Ruth came alongside Naomi, we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.
Leader:   We come to worship with neighbors – neighbors by proximity, by circumstance, by need.
People:  As God’s people traveled together in the wilderness, as Abraham entertained angels unawares, as the Samaritan cared for the Israelite, we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.
All:   As we come before you, Oh God, make us your cloud of witnesses.

confession and assurance: even in the darkness

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*PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Gracious and Loving God, we spend so much of our lives in the darkness, not daring to step into your light. But in your light is life, and in the darkness, only death. Teach us to turn back to the light of your love. Amen. 

*WORDS OF ASSURANCE

One:   God shows us the light in Jesus Christ so, that we may have life and have it abundantly.
ALL:  God blesses us, even in seasons of darkness. We remember
     the promises of God’s love. Our despair turns to hope and  our sorrow into joy.

 

Submitted by Rev. Elsa Peters, First Congregational Church, South Portland, ME

dedication: no matter why we give

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Gracious God, we give for many reasons.  We give out of habit, we give because it is commanded, we give because our blessings overflow.  Help us to remain generous as we leave this place, to continue to support your church not just monetarily but in our words and deeds, and to support one another through our prayers and friendship.  In Your name we pray, Amen.

 

Submitted by Rev. Sarah Rentzel Jones, pastor of St. Peter’s (Lischey’s) UCC in Spring Grove, PA.

confession: boxed up

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Even with those simple commandments, Eternal Love, we manage to get it wrong. We misuse your name on an almost daily basis, and dishonor our friends and neighbors by talking behind their backs. We hunger for what others have, and think we can put you in a box, storing you away on a shelf. We find little enough time for our families, for ourselves, you – much less setting aside an entire day for that rest you call Sabbath. Forgive us, Abiding Love. We think we are  so wise with the choices we make, only to end up with all that
keeps us from you. Your Word has come, to fill our speech with grace, with hope, with peace. As we journey to Jerusalem, may we invite others to join us as we seek to follow Jesus Christ, our Lord, our Savior.

Silence is kept

 

Submitted by Rev. Thom Shuman, author of Lectionary Liturgies.

call/assurance: God waits

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Call to Reconciliation
Perhaps we have spoken words which harm another.
It may be we have failed to honor another of God’s
children.  Maybe we have let our fears, our worries,
our desires come between us and God.  Whatever
we might have done, God waits to listen to us,
to offer us grace and healing.  Join me as we pray
together.

Unison Prayer of Confession

silence

Assurance of Pardon
L:    Day to day, God offers us mercy and hope.  Moment
to moment, we are surround by God’s never-ending
love.  Friends, trust this Good News for you!
P:    God takes our brokenhearted prayers and crafts them
into words of grace, of joy, of peace.  Thanks be to
God, we are forgiven.  Amen.

 

Submitted by Rev. Thom Shuman, author of Lectionary Liturgies.